Romero Expert Insights Series: Perspective

As part of our 2023 insights initiative at Romero Insurance Brokers, we will be highlighting team leaders across the Romero Group. Over 12 months, The Romero Group will showcase 12 important figures, each from different departments and different disciplines.

Sixth in our Insights Series is Fiona McQuillan, Director of Sentient, Romero Insurance Brokers’ new business acquisition, who will be heading up the HR and Health and Safety offering. Fiona has been helping her team adapt to the acquisition and change in offices, as well as develop Sentient’s offering for the wider Romero Group. On the precipice of a huge rebrand, Fiona discusses the challenges that come with leadership and how she manages the expectations.

What are your roles and responsibilities?

“Director of the Sentient team within the Romero Group. I manage the consultant’s and client’s contracts within the team.”

As a Director, what is your preferred method of management?

“Because I’ve got a very experienced team, the method of management is different. There’s no need to micro-manage them; I encourage them to self-manage. They use me as a second opinion and to apply supervision, as well as offering support in increasing and improving their competency and experience.”

“I supervise 14 staff members: 3 HR consultants, 6 health and safety consultants, 2 food consultants, and 3 in the admin team. All are highly qualified and experienced. This brings the challenge of helping the team look at things from a different perspective and consider alternative methods or approaches. The solution to that is open communication.”

What’s the most challenging aspect of being a leader?

“Finding the balance between being part of the team, and being the manager and the leader. There are times where you have to act as a peer and work with them – work as a colleague. There are times where you have to hold them accountable and responsible for certain actions. Just like they do for you; they will turn to you when there’s a problem and expect you to have a solution.”

“There are expectations put upon me as a leader, but equally I think they are fair. I think when you take on the position of leader, you know you will have to make some decisions no one else wants to make. Especially if you have a team as highly qualified as I do, because you will get differing opinions but the department will need a consistent approach. A decision has to be made and it has to be accepted by all members of the team. You’ve got to work with your team to get their agreement or acceptence to whatever the ultimate decision is.”

Do you have any thoughts on women in management?

“Since joining Romero Insurance Group it’s quite clear that there is a really good balance of male and female manager across the group. There isn’t a different approach depending on whether you are male or female; there’s consistency; the expectations are the same regardless of your gender. It’s great to see women in some of the highest roles in an industry which is still slightly behind the curve.”

What’s one tip you’d give to future directors?

“For me it’s always just been to learn from others. Because whether you believe you’ll always do something a certain way, there’s always something to learn from those around you or in front of you on the career path.”